Juan de Canamares

Juan de Canamares (1432-12 December 1492) was a mentally-disturbed Catalan peasant who was executed for failing to assassinate King Ferdinand II of Aragon with a short sword.

Biography
Juan de Canamares was born in Canyamars, Aragon in 1432 to a Catalan peasant family. In 1472, the mentally-disturbed Canamares had a vision from God telling him that he was the true King of Aragon, and he was promised the throne upon the King's death. On 7 December 1492, he attempted to assassinate King Ferdinand II of Aragon at the main gate of the Royal Palace of Barcelona, stabbing him in the back with a short sword as he walked to his carriage. However, the cut was light, and the King announced that he would live. He had Canamares restrained and held for questioning, and he later pardoned him due to his insanity. However, the Royal Court decided to execute him, and he was stoned and dismembered by the populace on 12 December.